RIP Leslie Nielsen

Arguably the best role was that of Dr. Rumack, played by the guy no one wanted or ever suspected would be funny, much less go on to have a second career starring in feature films as a goofball comic. Leslie was great in the role because he never “winked” – let on that he knew he was in a comedy. This was essential to the style, and Leslie had a natural instinct for it.

One of my all-time favorite exchanges in film:

Rumack: Captain, how soon can you land?Captain Oveur: I can’t tell.Rumack: You can tell me. I’m a doctor.Captain Oveur: No. I mean I’m just not sure.Rumack: Well, can’t you take a guess?Captain Oveur: Well, not for another two hours.Rumack: You can’t take a guess for another two hours?